Enhancing care for the elderly

SINGAPORE - While the Government's move to raise subsidies was primarily aimed at alleviating healthcare costs in the intermediate and long-term care sector, it was also meant to accentuate the difference between what families have to fork out to place a senior in a nursing home, as compared to caring for him at home or in the community. As the Ministry of Health (MOH) unveiled the details of the changes - which will come into effect in the third quarter of this year - the intention to encourage ageing-in-place was clear: For example, under the new subsidy structure, an elderly person with a per capita household income of S$1,500 will be paying S$450 monthly for home care services. Should he choose to stay in a nursing home run by a Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO), the fees will be S$1,000 a month while he will have to pay S$1,450 each month if he stays in the subsidi...